Resolve to let the sun power your year
If you've resolved to be more energy efficient this year, here's a tip: Let the sun into your home, especially on cold days. It's the most powerful source of energy around us.
You don't have to install big, expensive panels on your roof to use solar power, although that option is getting cheaper and more realistic all the time. Instead, look around your home for ways to let the sun work as a heater and a light bulb.
Here are a few solar first steps:
Clean your windows. Even the sun can't peek through windows that are covered with grime left behind by snow or rain that splashes your panes. Wash the outside and inside. If you can't reach them all, consider hiring a professional window cleaning company to help you.
Trim your hedges. Overgrown shrubs and trees can shade your windows too much. On cold days, the sunlight that beams into your home will help warm it up.
Open your drapes. If privacy is a concern, add light-colored sheer panels that you can keep closed all day without blocking the sun's rays.
Choose shiny surfaces. Add some polished brass or chrome to bathrooms and other sun-deprived areas of your home. They'll catch and reflect the little sunlight that makes its way into the rooms. Throw in some shiny tile on the floors and around sinks — as a decorative backsplash.
Hang minors across from windows. They'll not only make your rooms look bigger but they will bounce sunrays all around the room.
Paint everything a light color. Light colors like white, cream and yellow reflect sunlight and will make any room look brighter. Semi-gloss and satin paint make the walls even more reflective.
Scatter solids.Patterns absorb light more than solid fabrics.
And if you're ready to invest in a true piece of solar equipment, start with a solar-powered water heater. Some models will solar heat almost all of the water your home needs.
And last. If you really want to be part of the solution, try SOLAR PANELS on your roof.
LET’S TALK.
below are a few questions that were recently sent to us from an interested person in California.
1. If the potential rental plus local usage is equal to about my current monthly bill, what would be the advantage to rent, or rather the incentive to rent?
Answer: The cost per month will be the same each month based on the average cost of your bill from the 2005 rates. (What your paid bills were during 2005.)
The advantage or incentive would be: right off the start you would be paying your bill at the lower rate, which will save you a substantial amount as the years go by. This rate will still be at the 2005 rates 25 years from now. Even when the electric rates increase, you won’t be paying those increases on your bills. (Your advantages will increase as the time on your contract increases.)
2. By PG& E's prepaid equal monthly billing; we probably will be billed about $105 per month. And going with a system about 3 kwh (that's about 15 kwh/day on an average of 5 hours per day), what might be the range of the rental cost per month, or is it to be figured on a yearly basis?
Answer: Your bill will be close to, or less than $105.00 per month… let’s say for 25 years at 2005 rates. (Provided you don’t wait too long in your decision) It is based on a yearly average. The last payment of the year might vary a little, but not by much. There will be no range in the cost per month as it will remain the same $105.00 each month, for the length of your contract (FRA).
3. Since your company owns and installs the system, under the rebate program from the California program, I guess no rebate will go to the resident?
Answer: I’m not sure of the answer to this question, as each state will vary on how they handle these rebates to the customers. You could be right.
4. Unless the dollar figures can be shown, the incentive seems minimal, other than an altruistic value...nevertheless the no up front cost is a very attractive invite.
Answer: The real dollar figure can only be determined when the solar designer comes out to your home and evaluates that figure for you. The only other response that I can give to this question was also answered in question (1).The incentives increase as the years increase. Another advantage would be that the company takes care of all the maintenance of your system and it is monitored daily. If potential problems are seen, they will send a local person out to fix it. You don’t have to worry about any problems with your system...or the downtime, and we rebate downtime back to the customer. If you purchase your own system, all the problems will be yours, plus all the down time of your system. The $500.00 deposit that you pay up front is refunded at the end of your contract time…plus interest.
What is the initial cost to the homeowner?
- Before the panels are installed, there will be a $500.00 deposit.
- for larger systems (over 5kw), the deposit will incrementally increase, up to $1,000.00 never higher.
- The deposit is returned at the end of your rental period...plus interest.
- Nothing is due until after a solar designer is finished with your system and you sign off on the design.
What's the catch?
- There is no catch...we are trying to change the way energy is produced in America.
- At this time we will only be working with American homeowners, in those areas that have net metering.
What is net metering?
- Briefly: The utilities will credit your account with the excess electricity produced by your solar system, and return an equal amount later on, such as night time, or on cloudy days.
- Solar PV has been around for over 30 years and it works. Cost has been the main factor preventing wider acceptance.
- We will be using mass production and economies of scale to bring the cost down. Most people wouldn't want to be responsible for repair of a high voltage system. We are bringing the complete package together: Manufacture, installation and maintenance. No headaches. Simple!
Solar won't work in my area.
- Maybe your utility has no net metering at present.We are working for a change in the laws and acceptance of net metering around the country. We hope this eventually will include historic districts and condominium communities. Those that enroll now will be put on a waiting list so they will get the lowest rates then available, once their utility accepts net metering, or laws are changed to permit solar everywhere.
- Too much shade, no southern exposure, etc. Our company is starting with solar roof panels because it offers the opportunity to adapt solar to the greatest number of households at the lowest overall cost. Those that enroll early will get the first chance at other technologies as they become available.
What if you decide to move?
- The solar rental can be transferred to the new owner of the home, but if the new owner doesn't want the solar equipment, it can be moved.
- there is one (1) free movement of this system. (It has to be in a net metered area)
How long will this contract be in effect?
- Effective for one, five, or twenty five years. It depends on which one you select.
- It also doesn't require you to leave your present electric utility, and it gives a fixed electricity rate, for one, five, or twenty five years. While we are in the "pilot" phase, anyone that enrolls now, will lock in the 2005 rates.
Are you charged by the energy produced, or the energy you use?
- By the energy produced. Remember, the system is designed to meet no more than 100% of your historical annual usage, and we offer even pay, so you get even payment all year long. The final bill may vary somewhat, but not by much.
Is it possible to reduce my electric bill even further?
Yes, we have a referral program.
What is the worst thing that will happen if the company is unable to install the panels?
• You will not be out any money, and that's not bad. The deposit is not applicable until the designer is finished with your system and it's ready to install.
• At this moment, we are just trying to get everything lined up, so we'll be ready when the system is ready to roll.
• At present over 27,000 homeowners have reserved systems across America.
• In 2006 across the entire solar industry, only 7,500 PV systems in the U.S. were installed on residential homes by other companies.
If you have more questions, fill out the information form on the contact page, and we will answer you via email, or telephone.
• Why pay 20 to 40 thousand dollars for a PV system, when you can rent one for less than you pay now for coal or nuclear generated electric?
We really believe in solar energy...this is our future...
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Your Dollars Are Your votes!
Why vote for "dirty" electric when you can have clean energy from the sun for less money?